Embracing the chaos...

[Bionic Woman]

It has been very helpful for me to come and read about all of our new grad experiences on the job. It is just CRAZINESS working on a med-floor on first shift. Assessing, passing meds, dealing with patients and families, limited time, keeping up with orders, discharges, new admits, etc, etc....

So much of what I read here, I associate with. Running non-stop all day and then then realizing a few things were missed at the end of the shift when giving shift report or that things could have been better. It is so hard, if not impossible, to be on top of EVERYTHING. It's a shame that in the 3 months that I have been on the floor, I have come to realize that I cannot always count on my CNA's to help ( a few I know to not even bother to ask) and that a lot my co-workers have real attitudes. I wonder if it some kind of survival defense due to difficult patients/families and being overworked and stressed.

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding. I thought about how bad I felt and I wondered if this was really for me.

Nursing is a second career for me. I was SO bored with my previous job that was confined to the same room with the same small group of people (never seeing anyone else), very monotonous, and becoming increasingly automated. That is why I went into nursing. My previous job did pay better, I sat most of the day, and there was minimal stress.

It has been a complete 180 degrees changing to nursing. No matter how hard it is (and I am counting on it getting better), I really enjoy the challenge, the constant learning, and getting to see new people. It's definitely stimulating being a nurse. I feel more alive being a nurse than I did in my previous job. Being uncomfortable is a good opportunity for growth.

And I really don't see how any experienced nurse can expect a new grad to be perfect.

[kmenningen]

I can relate on so many levels and coming and reading on here all the struggles of starting out as a new nurse can be comforting as you are going through it.

I haven't cried after a shift, yet. Even though, I felt like crying on a couple occasions.

I love a challenge and that is what keeps me coming back for another shift. I also like the variety of not knowing if I am walking into a good or bad shift. You just have to make sure it all balances out in the end. Too many rotten shifts in a row can really be demoralizing.

So we don't get as much breaks as the seasoned nurses, eat dinner on the run, and wish we were faster, but we will get there. It just takes time and perseverance.

Also, try to remove yourself from work when you get home. Give yourself the drive home time to unwind and think through your shift if you have to and then let it go. Again, it is that balance thing.

[AnneS]

Being uncomfortable is a good opportunity for growth.

LOL thank you! You made me feel good reading that. I am constantly uncomfortable on shifts! I am always feeling like I am missing something or at any moment, the calm is all going to change and I will fall behind. For someone like me, that is so used to being organized and in control, this has been a real eye opener. Most shifts I feel completely depleted and if it wasn't for the help of my preceptor, I would be putting in 14 hours and still missing things. Good to know we are not alone.

[Leelee2]

and that a lot my co-workers have real attitudes. I wonder if it some kind of survival defense due to difficult patients/families and being overworked and stressed.

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding. I thought about how bad I felt and I wondered if this was really for me.

It has been a complete 180 degrees changing to nursing. No matter how hard it is (and I am counting on it getting better), I really enjoy the challenge, the constant learning, and getting to see new people. It's definitely stimulating being a nurse. I feel more alive being a nurse than I did in my previous job. Being uncomfortable is a good opportunity for growth.

And I really don't see how any experienced nurse can expect a new grad to be perfect.

The point about the survival defense, probably true to a degree, we all deal with stress in different ways. I think though that once it begins to affect others around you (staff/patients) people should recognize that, and maybe take a break from nursing. Do something less stressful for themselves. It's also really important that we do nice things for ourselves, to help deal with that stress. When I get paid, I celebrate in whatever way i can afford to do so (massage, concert, buying a new outfit, mini vacations, etc) I also make sure I get outside on my days off, exercise, and meditate, and it really helps me deal.

I love nursing for the same reasons you mention- challenge, learning something new everyday, meeting/interacting with patients and family. It definately is very stimulating! What I hate about nursing is when people in leadership roles gives nothing but lip-service to Quality care, and unfort, that is becoming more and more often.

I don't think that most experienced nurses expect perfection, just that when you make a mistake or didn't quite follow through on something, that they bring it to your attention to help you to learn from it.